Automated air-pillow dispenser

Abstract

A transfer and dispensing apparatus is disclosed for the conveying and separation of packaging material, cushions or pillows when needed by the operator. When a packer working over a conveyor receives a box that requires void fill, an operating switch such as a foot pedal is depressed to dispense pillows from the apparatus and into the box in a connected strip. When the operating switch is released, the apparatus stops dispensing pillows, separates the continuous strip of pillows along a transverse perforation in the strip, and ejects the end of the separated segment. The packer can then complete packing the box by placing the severed end of the pillows into the box, advance to the next box, and repeat the process. The transfer and dispensing apparatus may be positioned in any convenient location including adjacent to, above or attached to the inflation device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A packaging material transfer apparatus for transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows connected to each other end to end, the packaging material transfer apparatus comprising:
 a driving mechanism configured to receive the chain of pre-inflated pillows and including a traction member that extends laterally, in a first direction, with respect to the chain of pre-inflated pillows received by the driving mechanism to engage recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed between inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows, the driving mechanism driving the traction member in rotation to move the chain of pre-inflated pillows along a curved path perpendicular to the first direction; and 
 an exterior support member disposed on a radially exterior side of the traction member with respect to the rotation of the traction member and configured to support the chain of pre-inflated pillows in the engagement with the traction member and guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path. 
 
     
     
       2. The transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the traction member further comprises a plurality of traction members. 
     
     
       3. The transfer apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the traction members are spaced circumferentially with respect to the rotation thereof at a predetermined distance from each other corresponding to the recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed, the traction members defining pockets therebetween, the pockets being configured to, during operation, receive the inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows. 
     
     
       4. The transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior support member has a concave guide surface associated with the driving mechanism and configured to, during operation, support the chain of pre-inflated pillows from the radially exterior side of the driving mechanism. 
     
     
       5. The transfer apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the traction members are disposed so that, during operation, the traction members simultaneously engage a plurality of the recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows. 
     
     
       6. The transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior support member comprises an arcuate concave guide surface configured to, during operation, guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows therealong. 
     
     
       7. The transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior support member is further configured to, during operation, engage and contact the chain of pre-inflated pillows to guide and retain the chain of pre-inflated pillows against the traction member as the chain of pre-inflated pillows is moved along the curved path. 
     
     
       8. The transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a wheel driven in rotation. 
     
     
       9. A packaging system, comprising:
 a chain of pre-inflated pillows connected to each other end to end; and 
 a packaging material transfer apparatus for transferring the chain of pre-inflated pillows, the packaging material transfer apparatus comprising:
 a driving mechanism comprising a traction member that extends laterally, in a first direction, with respect to the chain of pre-inflated pillows received by the driving mechanism and configured to engage recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed between inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows to move the chain of pre-inflated pillows along a curved path perpendicular to the first direction; and 
 an exterior support member associated with the driving mechanism and configured to support the chain of pre-inflated pillows from the driving mechanism and guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior support member is further configured to, during operation, support the chain of pre-inflated pillows from a radially exterior side of the driving mechanism. 
     
     
       11. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a plurality of traction members. 
     
     
       12. The transfer apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the traction members are driven in rotation and are spaced circumferentially about the driving mechanism at a predetermined distance from each other corresponding to the recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows, the traction members being further configured to, during operation, engage the recessed zones and move the chain of pre-inflated pillows. 
     
     
       13. The transfer apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior support member has a concave guide surface associated with the driving mechanism and configured to, during operation, support the chain of pre-inflated pillows from the radially exterior side of the driving mechanism. 
     
     
       14. The transfer apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the traction members are disposed to simultaneously engage a plurality of the recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows. 
     
     
       15. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior support member comprises an arcuate concave guide surface configured to, during operation, guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows therealong. 
     
     
       16. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior support member and the curved path are concentric. 
     
     
       17. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the driving mechanism further comprises a wheel driven in rotation. 
     
     
       18. A packaging material transfer apparatus for transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows connected to each other end to end, the packaging material transfer apparatus comprising:
 a driving mechanism configured to receive the chain of pre-inflated pillows and including: a plurality of tractions members that extend laterally with respect to the chain of pre-inflated pillows received by the driving mechanism to engage recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed between inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows; and first and second laterally spaced plates, wherein:
 the traction members are spaced circumferentially with respect to the rotation thereof at a predetermined distance from each other corresponding to the recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed; 
 the driving mechanism drives the traction members in rotation to move the chain of pre-inflated pillows along a curved path; 
 the traction members extend from the first to the second plate; and 
 the first and second plates define a pocket area configured to, during operation, receive the inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows laterally therebetween; and 
 
 an exterior support member disposed on a radially exterior side of the traction member with respect to the rotation of the traction members and configured to support the chain of pre-inflated pillows in the engagement with the traction members and guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path. 
 
     
     
       19. A packaging material transfer apparatus for transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows connected to each other end to end, the packaging material transfer apparatus comprising:
 a driving mechanism configured to receive the chain of pre-inflated pillows and including a plurality of traction members that extend laterally with respect to the chain of pre-inflated pillows received by the driving mechanism to engage recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed between inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows, wherein:
 the driving mechanism drives the traction members in rotation to move the chain of pre-inflated pillows along a curved path; 
 the traction members each define a transverse slot for operation of a detachment element moving therethrough; and 
 each of the traction members is configured to, during operation, support the chain of pre-inflated pillows on opposite longitudinal sides of a weakened area of the recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows; and 
 
 an exterior support member disposed on a radially exterior side of the traction members with respect to the rotation of the traction members and configured to support the chain of pre-inflated pillows in the engagement with the traction members and guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path. 
 
     
     
       20. A packaging material transfer apparatus for transferring a chain of pre-inflated pillows connected to each other end to end, the packaging material transfer apparatus comprising:
 a driving mechanism configured to receive the chain of pre-inflated pillows and including:
 a traction member that extends laterally with respect to the chain of pre-inflated pillows received by the driving mechanism to engage recessed zones of the chain of pre-inflated pillows disposed between inflated portions of the chain of pre-inflated pillows, the driving mechanism driving the traction member in rotation to move the chain of pre-inflated pillows along a curved path; and 
 a wheel driven in rotation; 
 
 an exterior support member disposed on a radially exterior side of the traction member with respect to the rotation of the traction member and configured to support the chain of pre-inflated pillows in the engagement with the traction member and guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path; and 
 a support frame, wherein: 
 the wheel is mounted in the support frame; and 
 the exterior support member is fixed only to a top of the support frame such that front and rear ends of the exterior support member are radially flexible or displaceable to, during operation, pivot away from the wheel to facilitate dispensing of the chain of pre-inflated pillows. 
 
     
     
       21. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior support member is disposed on a radially exterior side of the traction member with respect to the rotation of the traction member and is configured so that the chain of pre-inflated pillows remains entirely radially inward of the exterior support member as the exterior support member guides the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path. 
     
     
       22. The transfer apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior support member is disposed on a radially exterior side of the traction member with respect to the rotation of the traction member and is configured so that the exterior support member contacts and covers the pre-inflated pillows to guide the chain of pre-inflated pillows along the curved path. 
     
     
       23. The transfer apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior support member is spaced apart radially from the traction member when the chain of pre-inflated pillows is not located on the curved path.